Pakistan

'Baseless speculation': Govt dismisses rumours of replacing army chief

Interior minister inaugurates online system for ID renewal; announces set-up of DNA testing lab to facilitate army

Zahid Gishkori August 03, 2015

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar addresses a press conference at NADRA Headquarters in Islamabad on August 3, 2015. PHOTO: PID

ISLAMABAD: Interior minister Chaudhry Nisar dismissed on Monday rumours that the government was considering replacing the army chief.

"It is baseless speculation; we have complete trust in the incumbent top command of our military," he told reporters at the inauguration of an online system for the renewal of national identity cards at the headquarters of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).

“We need an army chief like General Raheel Sharif who has earned national and international fame and because we need him to fight militants,” he said adding that such ‘baseless rumours’ are being spread by ‘enemies’ of Pakistan.

Read: PM, army chief discuss Afghan reconciliation process

Earlier, the interior minister inaugurated an online system for the renewal of ID cards.

Nisar said the step has been taken in order to provide relief to people who will no longer have to form long queues outside NADRA centres.

“With a single click, one will be able to renew their identity cards on the computer and get updates on the status of their application through the new online system,” he said.

He also said that a DNA testing lab will be established under NADRA which will work towards facilitating the armed forces of the country.

Read: Terrorism a war of survival for Pakistan: Army chief

Nisar also announced that the government plans to set up 13 international level business centres in the next seven months, which will work as a one-stop place for the issuance of identity cards and passports.

“The information of birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates will be digitised and centralised to avoid issuance of fake documents,” he stressed.

Providing statistics, the interior minister said some 64,000 passport were blocked last year, adding the institution has fetched government Rs5 billion.

Nisar reiterated that the government is making utmost efforts to ensure not a single incompetent and corrupt officer works at NADRA.

COMMENTS (24)

Bukhari | 9 years ago | Reply @ Ch. Allah Daad, really this is your response?? can't believe it.

SGRR | 9 years ago | Reply "the institution has fetched government Rs5 billion." It seems that one of the objective of the establishing NADRA to mint money from the each and every citizen of Pakistan. Whether state institutions are established to provide relief to the state masses or the extort money from them? Normally the online services are cheaper than the services where direct interaction of people is required, However, I wonder, the online services of NADRA are many time costlier than the services offered at NSRC.

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Sheheryer Murri | 9 years ago | Reply NS thinks CN took massive control with the help of RS.

Irshad. K | 9 years ago | Reply Yes, there is a talk in upper circle in Islamabad about Nawaz Sharif having serious differences with General Raheel Sharif, he is also getting pressure from Zardari to replace the Army Chief. General must watch around himself, Nawaz Sharif and Zardari are famous to conspire and make things happen.

syed & syed | 9 years ago | Reply First of all we have to see how this story started. It may be a litmus test by Nawaz Shareef to replace army chief as he did in case of Parvaiz Musharaf. Ch. Nisar is the person responsible to give life to rumor. I think Nawaz party wants to be sent abroad for 10 years or so but this time it will be different story because the Nation is standing behind Gen.Raheel Shareef for his efforts to eradicate terrorism

Waseem | 9 years ago | Reply Intelligence agencies should go after misleading sources and punish them hard for their evil act.

Waseem | 9 years ago | Reply Gen Raheel is needed forever. God bless him.

N | 9 years ago | Reply This time another Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto type episode will take place no way out for Saudi Arabia or in Pakistan

Parvez | 9 years ago | Reply The best way to give wings to a rumor is to deny it.

ih | 9 years ago | Reply N.S must go on national tv or hold a press conference to quash this rumor. if he does not ,his judgement and sense of history must be questioned.

Dr.M.M. Khan | 9 years ago | Reply While The PM is the de jure head of state it is really the COAS who is the defacto head. He gets more publicity than the PM. He makes political statements and and the poor PM loves being photgraphed with him. This story may well have been planted to get him an extension.After all extension is a norm for the COAS rather than exception. Need examples?

Patriot | 9 years ago | Reply Yesterday news was Nawaz Sharif had an attempt on his life. Today Internal minister is saying no changes. Establishment sent out loud and clear message to Nawaz clan. Great Job General.

Zaida Parvez | 9 years ago | Reply This might have come from Sheikh Rasheed himself.

Babloo | 9 years ago | Reply A coup is brewing. repeat of Musharraf drama. Dont know when it will be served. Has there ever being a Pakisani general, who while in service, has not been loved as a hero by Pakistani public ?

Ns | 9 years ago | Reply Even in pml n dreams they cannot remove gen raheel. His position is fortified . any attempt to remove him would land ns in jail or Saudi land

Pakistan | 9 years ago | Reply This will be just the right thing to do. This time the nation will bring Martial Law and get rid of all these rotten trash. Nawaz and his minions dare not do this. They also lack the courage.Go ahead and commit hara Kiri. People would love to see Gen Raheel in place of Nawaz Sharif. Hold a referendum.

just_someone | 9 years ago | Reply @Ch. Allah Daad: Ch Sahib, when have you started criticizing NS and the others who pay you?? Unless...... Maybe youre being paid by someone completely different, one that has a knack for trying to control internal politics :)

sabi | 9 years ago | Reply For decades paid journalists and pseudo intellectuals have played havoc with this country.Since their masters are gone for good there is nobody left to protect such miscreants and law of the land is crystal clear about such criminals.I dont see any policy of compromise for these criminals in future.They have to go yes that's the writing on the wall.Pakistan is changing.Many surprises in the pipe line!

sabi | 9 years ago | Reply @Salman Hussain: We stand with both NS AND RAHEEL SHARIF.It's time we kick conspiracy masters out of our ranks-its inevitable.

Ch. Allah Daad | 9 years ago | Reply Why would Mian Sahib replace General Sharif? General is not only doing his own job, he is also doing duties of civilian government which has given Mian Sahib enough freedom to go on vacations and enjoy worry free life.

Pankaj | 9 years ago | Reply Sign of another coup.!!

ZAK | 9 years ago | Reply Brave and committed top command is doing its utmost to eradicate terrorism from country and earn fame of nation among international community. Therefore there is no need of change of top command.

Jibran | 9 years ago | Reply Nawaz League is notorious for planted stories to weaken various individuals. Of course, Raheel Shareef won't be removed, only attempt is to make him cut to size.

Salman Hussain | 9 years ago | Reply We are stand by with our Army Chief General Raheel Sharif

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